in ocean city, md., the first signs of the approaching storm can also be felt. authorities have closed the city's beach. >> this is a big one. it is supposed to be huge. everybody is supposed to evacuate from 17th street down. >> this is almost a ghost town. the residents have either left or barricaded themselves inside their homes. only a couple of daring beachgoers remain. >> [no audio] >> further north, in new york, preparations have been underway for days. people in low-lying areas are bracing themselves for flooding. at this long beach hospital, several buildings are being evacuated. almost 400,000 people have been forced to leave their homes. the mass transit has been shut down. >> i think it is ridiculous. new york city is a melting pot of people going to work and trying to make a living and we cannot even get around. i did not even know what i'm doing. >> president obama has canceled campaign stops. he urged residents to take all precautions. >> my first message is to all the people across the eastern seaboard, the mid-atlantic, going north, that you nee